MARTIN O'Neill is hoping Gabriel Agbonlahor can use his equaliser against Everton to rediscover his best form.

MARTIN O'Neill is hoping Gabriel Agbonlahor can rediscover his best form after his equaliser against Everton.

Villa have now won only twice in 19 matches since winning at Everton in November but they have moved five points clear of the bottom three with last night's 1-1 draw.

And O'Neill is hoping the goal from Agbonlahor, who is due to sign a new three-year contract this week, will act as a lift after a dip in fortunes for the England Under-21 player.

He said: "I'm delighted for Gabby.

"He started the season terrifically. It's a long season for someone so young. If someone had said at the start of the season, he would start 15 games I am sure he would have taken it and been delighted.

"He has done very well. He has got the goal which will give him a bit of a boost to his confidence. The crowd are always with him.

"When you are playing wide, it can be exasperating if you are not beating your player as easily as you might have been three months ago.

"But he'll be better for the experience. He has had a long season and he would not have expected to be in the position he is now way back in August."